The Just Security Podcast

The January 6th Committee is wrapping up its work, which has provided a detailed account of the individuals and groups involved in the attack. Thanks to the Committee, we know that law enforcement agencies like the FBI had intelligence about the attack ahead of time. What we don’t know is how they used that information or why they failed to stop the attack. Joining on this episode to discuss what the FBI knew, the culture inside the Bureau, and how to address reforms, are Andrew McCabe and Asha Rangappa. Andrew served as the FBI’s Deputy Director and Acting Director during the Obama and Trump administrations, and Asha is a former FBI special agent. Show Notes:  Asha Rangappa (@AshaRangappa_) Andrew McCabeRyan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) Asha’s Just Security article “The Missing Review of FBI’s January 6 Intelligence and Law Enforcement Failures”January 6th Committee websiteMusic: “The Parade” by “Hey Pluto!” from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/the-parade (License code: 36B6ODD7Y6ODZ3BX)

This year, the war in Ukraine has dominated news headlines and been on everyone’s mind. At the heart of it is Russian President Vladimir Putin, who began his career as a spy with the KGB. To understand a former spy, you need a former spy. Doug London is fluent in Russian and spent nearly 40 years with the CIA, as an operations officer and station chief in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. On this episode, he discusses Putin’s background, mindset, and strategies for the United States and others to address Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Show Notes: Douglas London (@douglaslondon5)5:25 New York Times coverage of Russian leadership considering the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine Doug’s book The Recruiter: Spying and the Lost Art of American IntelligenceDoug’s Just Security article analyzing Putin’s mindset Music: “The Parade” by “Hey Pluto!” from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/the-parade (License code: 36B6ODD7Y6ODZ3BX)

New York Times national security correspondent Charlie Savage reported that the Biden administration has issued a still-classified policy on some types of counterterrorism operations, such as drone strikes and commando raids. That policy, the Presidential Policy Memorandum (PPM), follows earlier guidance from the Obama and Trump administrations. For reactions to the PPM, Just Security has a written mini-series from our lineup of expert authors. On this week’s episode, Yale Law School professor Oona Hathaway and New America International Security Program Fellow Luke Hartig discuss the Biden plan and what it all means for U.S. counterterrorism efforts and forever war. Show Notes:Oona A. Hathaway (@oonahathaway)  Luke Hartig (@LukeHartig)Just Security mini-series on President Biden’s Presidential Policy Memo (PPM)0:23 Charlie Savage’s NYT article on the PPM2:20 President Obama’s Presidential Policy Guidance (PPG)3:12 President Trump’s Principles, Standards, and Procedures (PSP) 16:33  New York Times coverage of Aug. 29, 2021 Kabul drone strike that killed 10 civilians 17:40 New York Times coverage of March 18, 2019 Baghuz drone strike that killed about 70 civilians 18:20 Azmat Khan’s Pulitzer-winning reporting on U.S. drone strikes in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan Music: “The Parade” by “Hey Pluto!” from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/the-parade (License code: 36B6ODD7Y6ODZ3BX)